Wander Oregon

🎨 Looking for free art, film, and culture in Portland this week? Join Portland Art Museum for Free First Thursday! Enjoy FREE admission to the Portland Art Museum from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., plus free access to special programs at the Tomorrow Theater in SE Portland.

✨ This Month’s Highlight:
In conjunction with the landmark exhibition The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art, we're hosting a free film screening program celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers:
🎬 2:00 PM – BeDevil (1993) – The first feature directed by an Australian Aboriginal woman (Tracey Moffatt), presenting three stylized ghost stories rooted in memory and heritage.
🎬 5:00 PM – The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson (2021) – A powerful revisionist Western written, directed by, and starring Leah Purcell.

📍 Portland Art Museum: 1219 SW Park Ave
📍 Tomorrow Theater: 3530 SE Division St
🎟️ Tickets: Free First Thursday tickets can be reserved online 1 week in advance or acquired at the door.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Looking for the ultimate pumpkin patch weekend on the Westside? 🎃 From massive 10-acre corn mazes and farm train rides to live music, local brews, and dog-friendly patches, here is your complete guide to the best fall farm fun in Beaverton and Hillsboro! 🍁
Bookmark this post for your family weekend trips, and check out what each farm has to offer this season:

🎃 HOFFMAN FARMS STORE & BAKERY
• Highlights: 52 varieties of pumpkins, 10-acre corn maze, kid-friendly playground, farm train rides, live music, food truck BBQ, and local beer/cider from Barn Door Brewing (Fridays–Sundays).
• 📍 22242 SW Scholls Ferry Rd, Beaverton, OR
• 🗓️ Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (BBQ open Fri–Sun 11 AM–3 PM)

🎃 SCHOLLS FERRY FARM
• Highlights: Large authentic pumpkin patch, scenic field strolls, pre-picked pumpkins, and a massive corn maze! 🐾 Dog-friendly!
• 🎟️ Corn Maze Pricing: $5 per person (Kids under 4 are FREE!)
• 📍 23400 SW Scholls Ferry Rd, Hillsboro, OR
• 🗓️ Hours: Open Daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

🎃 ROLOFF FARMS
• Highlights: Scenic wagon tours, farm animals, flower gardens, train rides, family games, and classic fall activities.
• 📍 23985 NW Grossen Dr, Hillsboro, OR
• 🗓️ Hours: Open Friday, Saturday, & Sunday ONLY

📌 Save this list to plan your pumpkin patch outings, and tag your fall farm crew below! 🎃🌽👇
(Tip: Direct website links for farm details, tickets, and directions are dropped in the comments below! 👇)

Step straight into the movie set! 🎃🧙‍♀️ Spirit of Halloweentown is officially returning to St. Helens, Oregon from September 26th through November 1st!
Every fall, the historic riverfront town where Disney’s iconic Halloweentown was filmed transforms into the ultimate month-long Halloween destination for all ages!

🎃 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
• The Famous Plaza & Great Pumpkin: Walk through the original town square filming location and snap photos with the giant pumpkin! 🎃
• Family Attractions: Kid-friendly haunted house, Masonic Hall exhibits, train ride location tours, and the Boo Bash Pavilion with harvest games.
• Celebrity Guests & Entertainment: Live main stage shows, professional photo ops, and celebrity meet-and-greets!
• Vendor Village: Local food, seasonal treats, costume contests, and the official gift shop.

💡 Halloweentown Pass:
Your Spirit of Halloweentown pass provides entry to all available activities and attractions throughout the event. However, please note that while most guests are able to enjoy every activity, your pass does not guarantee admission into every attraction, as this depends on waiting times and the number of visitors on the day you attend. To make the most of your visit, we recommend prioritizing the activities you’re most excited about first.

NOTE: It is free to peruse the town, street vendors and plaza square.

📍 Downtown St. Helens, Oregon (Historic Riverfront Plaza)
🗓️ 2026 Weekend Dates: Sept 26–27 | Oct 3–4 | Oct 10–11 | Oct 17–18 | Oct 24–25 | Oct 31–Nov 1
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets/wristbands are required for select attractions and experiences on weekends. (BUT it is free to peruse the town, street vendors and plaza square.)
📌 Save this post to plan your October fall trip, and share it with someone who loves Halloweentown!

(Tip: I dropped the direct ticket link in the comments below! 🎟️👇)

💎 10 hand-blown glass floats are hidden on the beach right now—and if you find one, it’s yours to keep forever!
To celebrate the Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival (Sept 25–27), Lincoln City’s famous Finders Keepers program is dropping a special themed release of 10 handcrafted glass floats along seven miles of public coastline!
Covert "Float Fairies" will be hiding these beautiful glass treasures above the high-tide line, all the way from Roads End on the north end to Siletz Bay on the south.

👍 FLOAT HUNTING PRO-TIPS:
• Where to Look: Floats are hidden on the beach above the high-tide line and below the beach bank—never in the dunes or on private property.
• When to Search: Hunt during low tide or early morning before the weekend crowds arrive!
• Finders Keepers: If you spot one, it's 100% yours to keep! Be sure to register your float online to get your certificate of authenticity.
📍 Lincoln City Beaches | 7 miles of public shoreline from Roads End to Siletz Bay
🗓️ Drop Dates: Friday, Sept 25 – Sunday, Sept 27

💬 LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW IF YOU HAVE EVER FOUND ONE!

Giant glowing kites, free beach glass floats, and colorful sky displays on the Oregon Coast—and the entire festival is 100% FREE! 🪁 The annual Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival is happening September 25–27 on the beach at Chinook Winds Casino Resort!

Whether you're watching illuminated kites soar under the stars on Friday night or hunting for special themed glass floats hidden along the shore, here is your complete zero-cost weekend guide:

🪁 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
• 🎟️ 100% FREE Entry, Night Fly, & Parking Shuttles!
• 🌙 Friday Night Fly (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Dazzling illuminated kites lighting up the dark coastal sky!
• 💎 Special Finders Keepers Glass Float Drops: Extra themed glass floats hidden along Lincoln City’s beaches all weekend long!
• 🪁 FREE Kids Kite-Making Workshops: Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (donations benefit Family Promise).
• 💨 Mega Fly & Big Kites (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM): Watch all featured fliers take the field together with massive colorful show kites!
• 🎡 Pixie Fest Carnival Games & Wind Garden: Fun carnival games for kids and walking art installations on the sand.

🗓️ FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
• Friday, Sept 25: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Night Fly!)
• Saturday & Sunday, Sept 26–27: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Daily
🚌 FREE PARKING & SHUTTLE SERVICE:
Park at Chinook Winds Casino, 1st Choice Fresh Market, or the Lincoln City Outlets top level!
• Friday Shuttle: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
• Sat/Sun Shuttle: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Runs continuously!)
📍 Chinook Winds Beach Access | 1777 NW 44th St, Lincoln City, OR
📌 Save this post to plan your coastal road trip, and tag your beach buddy below! The complete festival schedule in the comments below!👇)

FINAL DAYS & CLOSING AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER! You only have a few days left to visit the iconic Swan Island Dahlia Festival in Canby before the fields close for the season!

If you haven't strolled through nearly 50 acres of vibrant, blooming dahlias yet this summer, this is your final week to experience the largest dahlia farm in the United States!

🌸 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
• 50 Acres of Blooms: Wander through over 370 varieties of breathtaking dahlias in every color, shape, and size imaginable.
• Display Garden & Gift Shop: Walk the beautifully landscaped display gardens, pick up fresh-cut bouquets, or order tuber bulbs for your own garden next spring.
• Food Carts & Weekend Live Music
• Pets: Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome

💡 VISITOR TIPS:
• 100% FREE Admission & Parking!
* ADA Accessible
📍 Swan Island Dahlias | 995 NW 22nd Ave, Canby, OR
⏰ Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
👇 Who still needs to see the dahlias before the fields close for the season?

🚨 CLOSING TEMPORARILY OCT 5th! If you haven't been up to the Upper Gardens at The Grotto lately—or have never taken the 110-foot cliff elevator—you only have until October 5th before they close through the end of January 2027 for a major elevator modernization!

Upper Gardens reveals a tranquil sanctuary featuring winding forest trails, stunning fir trees, quiet ponds, and panoramic views of Mount St. Helens and the Columbia River Basin. Now is your final chance this fall to experience the sweeping forest trails and mountain views!

🌲 UPPER GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS:
• Panoramic Cliff Views: Ride the 110-foot cliff elevator up to swept vistas looking out across the PNW landscape.
• Peaceful Forest Paths: Wander peaceful paved walking trails surrounded by tall trees, serene gardens, and international shrines.
• The Meditation Chapel: Step inside the award-winning glass chapel overlooking the valley for a quiet moment of calm.
• Lower Plaza & Cave Shrine: Explore the iconic Cave of Mary carved directly into the base of the basalt cliff!

💡 INSIDER VISITOR TIPS:
• Upper Garden Admission: The lower plaza and Cave Shrine are FREE to visit! Upper Garden admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youth (6–17), and free for kids 5 and under.
• Lower Plaza remains FREE! You can still visit the lower grounds and famous Cave Shrine anytime at no cost.
• Accessibility: Main upper garden pathways are paved and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
📍 The Grotto | 8840 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR (NE 85th & Sandy)
⏰ Grounds Open: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily

❓Have you ever taken the cliff elevator to the Upper Gardens?

📌 BOOK EARLY TO SAVE $5! Early-bird online tickets end Friday, September 25th—grab yours before gate prices go up! 🎃🍉✨
You’ve never seen a pumpkin patch glow like this! Celebrate the annual Watermelon Harvest and kick off pumpkin season at Willamette Valley Melon Company in Molalla for their Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Glow!

Throughout the day on Saturday, carve a FREE pumpkin, add it to the community display, and gather at 7:00 PM / dusk as hundreds of carved jack-o'-lanterns light up simultaneously under the night sky!

🎃 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS (ALL INCLUDED IN ADMISSION):
• ✨ Saturday Night Pumpkin Glow: Watch hundreds of carved jack-o'-lanterns illuminate the farm at dark (lighting at 7:00 PM)!
• 🎨 Pumpkin Patch & Decorator Den: Carve your free display pumpkin and decorate your home pumpkins!
• 🌽 Corn Maze & Hay Climb: Winding corn trails and towering hay pyramids for all ages.
• 🚜 Scenic Tractor Tours: Ride through the farm fields on a classic tractor tour.
• 🍉 Free Watermelon Samples: Enjoy fresh, local harvest melon tastings!
• 🎶 Live Music & Adult Beverage Garden: Sip local drinks, grab food cart eats, and enjoy live tunes in the fall air!

🗓️ FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
• Saturday, Sept 26: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Pumpkin Glow at 7 PM / Dusk!)
• Sunday, Sept 27: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🎟️ EARLY BIRD TICKET PRICING (BUY ONLINE BY SEPT 25 & SAVE!):
• Adults (15+): $15 online ($17 at gate)
• Kids (3–14): $8 online ($10 at gate)
• Family Pass (2 Adults + up to 4 Kids): $45 online ($50 at gate)
• Ages 2 & under: FREE!
📍 Willamette Valley Melon Company | 32359 S Dryland Rd, Molalla, OR 97038
📌 Save this post to plan your weekend, and tag your pumpkin-carving squad below! 🎃✨👇

📌 SAVE THIS POST! This is officially your LAST WEEKEND for FREE admission to Topaz Farm on Sauvie Island before Fall Harvest tickets start next week!
Come explore the giant honeycomb-shaped Butterfly Maze, cut fresh blooms, and enjoy a beautiful late-summer farm wander completely FREE!

THIS WEEKEND ONLY (SEPT 19–20):
• 🦋 Free Butterfly Maze (9 AM – 6 PM): Walk the blooming paths and discover whimsical butterfly cutouts!
• 🌻 10 FREE Sunflower Heads: Get up to 10 free spent sunflower heads per person (from the Sunflower Maze only)!
• 🌸 U-Cut Flower Lane (9 AM – 6 PM): Harvest colorful late-summer bouquets (5:30 PM last field entry).
• 🚜 Extra Weekend Fun: Cow Train rides ($5 from 10 AM–Noon), visit farm animals, tire playgrounds, and fresh grilled eats from the farm kitchen!

💡 WHY VISIT THIS WEEKEND?
Next weekend (Sept 26) marks the start of Fall Harvest, which brings ticketed weekend admission. If you want a zero-cost farm trip to soak up late-summer blooms, this is your last chance!

📍 Topaz Farm | 17100 NW Sauvie Island Rd (Sauvie Island, OR)
🎟️ Admission & Parking: 100% FREE this weekend!
⏰ THIS WEEKEND’S HOURS (SEPT 19–20):
• Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Grill open 11 AM – 6 PM)
📌 Save this post to plan your weekend, and share it with your Sauvie Island trip crew! 🌻🦋👇

Fall fun is officially in full swing at Yesteryear Farms in Wilsonville! 🍂 Enjoy FREE ADMISSION to the farm grounds, pumpkin patch, market, animal visits, and outdoor movie nights all weekend long! 🎃
Whether you're snapping photos with Coraline or getting lost in the towering corn stalks, here is your weekend lineup:

🎬 FREE FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE (Sept 18):
• Featured Movie: Monster House 👻🏠
• Time: 8:00 PM (Every Friday at dusk!)
• Details: 100% FREE! Pack blankets, lawn chairs, and grab hot treats under the stars!
🎭 SATURDAY CHARACTER MEET & GREET:
• Coraline Live Appearance: Saturday, September 19th from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM! Bring the kids and camera for free photo ops!
🌽 10-ACRE INTERACTIVE CORN MAZE:
Wander 6 miles of trails using a live GPS map on your phone! Choose between Crime Scene Investigation or Monster Mystery games. (Night Maze open Fri/Sat until 10 PM!)
🚚 FALL FOOD TRUCKS & TREATS
🎃 FARM STORE & PUMPKIN PATCH:
Free farm animal visits, hay pyramids, seasonal decor, and fresh apple cider treats!
📍 Yesteryear Farms | 26801 SW Stafford Rd, Wilsonville, OR
🎟️ Admission: 100% FREE entry to farm, movies, & character appearances! (Corn maze tickets sold separately)
📌 Save this post to plan your weekend, and check the pinned comment below for the full season movie & character schedule! 🎃🎬👇